Just Like Grandma’s Chocolate Pudding

I don’t know if this is actually the recipe that my Mom-mom used but it is close. If you don’t like the ‘skin’ that cooked pudding has then simply place a piece of plastic wrap over the warm pudding so that the wrap touches the top of the pudding. When cool you remove the wrap and the ‘skin’.

**Special thanks to my son-in-law @moments2lifephotography for the amazing cover photo!

 

Just Like Grandma’s Chocolate Pudding

INGREDIENTS:

  • 2/3 c. sugar
  • 1/4 c. cocoa powder
  • 4 T. cornstarch
  • 1/4 t. salt
  • 2-1/4 cups milk
  • 2 T. butter or margarine
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

DIRECTIONS:

In a medium size saucepan whisk together the first four ingredients. Slowly stir in the milk.

Cook this mixture over medium heat until it boils. Stir constantly and boil for about 1 minute.

Remove your pan from the heat and stir in the butter and vanilla.

Pour into a serving bowl and chill for about 2-3 hours.

For Pie:

I usually only use 2 cups of milk and then pour this into a baked pie shell or a graham cracker crust. Chill for 2-3 hours. Top with whipped cream, if desired.

Continue reading “Just Like Grandma’s Chocolate Pudding”

Pumpkin Pie Filling From Scratch

I know that this time of year there are ao many pumpkin-related recipes going around but Pumpkin Pie is a big tradition around here so I wanted to share our recipe. You can put this into a store-bought pie shell or try your hand at a made scratch from pie crust as well.

**Special thanks to my son-in-law @moments2lifephotography for the amazing cover photo! Continue reading “Pumpkin Pie Filling From Scratch”

Free Printable Shopping Guide – Makes Christmas Shopping So Much Easier!

I know, I know …. some of us just don’t want to think about Christmas shopping yet, even though I have already bought a couple of gifts. However, I am getting a lot of requests about what my kiddos want or what sizes they are wearing so I think its time to make up my list so I can send it to those people who have asked for information.

Seeing how I normally go through the kids’ clothes around this time of year it makes it the perfect time to take note of what sizes they like. I can also use this time to ask them about the styles and colors they prefer and maybe even ‘sneak’ in a quick question about what they might like for Christmas.

Continue reading “Free Printable Shopping Guide – Makes Christmas Shopping So Much Easier!”

Little House On The Prairie Adventure Week 7 Lesson Plans

**Although I try to provide as many FREE resources as possible this post may contain affiliate links alt no extra cost to you. We may earn a small commission, if a purchase is made through these links, which helps to support our blog and our family. Thank you!

Mornings:

We Start every morning off with our prayers and the Pledge of Allegiance. Below is a picture of the prayers that we say and a video of the Pledge of Allegiance.

a4f356a8-2a6f-4280-abd7-33bce0719b96-4019-000000c2c1f8254c_file

Not the prettiest example but that’s what we’ve been using for the past few years.

Don’t have a flag? Grab one HEREand print it out to put up somewhere… you could even let the kids make a flag to proudly display. Amazon also has some little ones like this one HERE and HERE.

After this we have our calendar time also where we go over such things as the Days of the Week, the months, and some basic math.

d3cbca65-c096-4094-b421-827b79058cc5-4019-000000c2ec08e8e6_file

This one came from Lakeshore Learning.

We also like to use this song during our ‘Morning Time’ to help the kids learn the 50 States. 


Tip: If you want to go to a certain week/chapter or topic simply push the ‘ctrl’ and the ‘F’ button down together and a small bar will pop up. Type in the week number or chapter number you want and it will take you to it.


Week 7: Chapters 19, 20 & 21 (Mr. Edwards Meets Santa Claus, A Scream in the Night, Indian Jamboree )

Here is our lesson plan for the week:


Language Arts

Reading:

Read Chapters 19, 20 & 21

Discussion Questions:

Chapter Nineteen:

  • What holiday was coming up?
  • What did Pa bring Christmas dinner?
  • Why did the girls think Santa couldn’t come?
  • Who did Mr. Edwards say he had saw? What had he sent for the girls?
  • What did the girls find in their stockings?

Chapter Twenty:

  • What games did the girls play with Baby Carrie?
  • What did they hear? Who did Pa think it was?
  • What was really screaming?
  • Who killed the panther?

Chapter Twenty-One:

  • How long was Pa gone?
  • What did Pa trade the furs for?
  • Why did Pa give Mary her package first? What had he brought for them?
  • How did the Indians feel about the settlers?

Additional Reading:

Each child would complete a reading lesson from our McGuffey Primer Books or other reading materials that we chose for the day.

Younger kids will also be doing one lesson a day from Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons.

Vocabulary/Spelling:

Older Kids:

Parents click HERE for the answer key.**see instructions at the top of the page.

Younger Kids:

Handwriting:

Using  Spencerian Penmanship go over the instructions on p. 11-13

Writing:**

  • Describe a favorite holiday meal that you had with your family.
  • Continue working in your workbook.

Other Activity:

Group:

Older kids:

Younger kids:


Math

Week 7: Chapters 19, 20 & 21

You can work on a lesson in your Ray’s Arithmetic Books or other math workbook. (The lessons below reflect what we worked on.)

Group:

Rotate through these activities:

Older Kids:

Younger Kids:

 


Geography and History

Week 7: Chapters 19, 20 & 21

1. State Study

  • This week we will study Nebraska.
  • Complete your notebooking pages.
  • Older kids can write a report about the state.

2. Continue to Research Native American Indian Tribes

  • Do some independent research.
  • Be sure to take notes for your report.
  • Watch this video about some interesting facts:

3. Take a tour of a Prairie homestead


Science

Week 7: Chapters 19, 20 & 21

1. Continue to Research Prairie Animals.

  • Discuss what you learned.

Listen to these sounds:

  • How would that make you feel?

2. Continue learning about simple machines.

We will be using Explore Simple Machines!: With 25 Great Projects for this study.

What are wedges? Not the shoes.

  • Read pages 57-62 of your book.
  • Write down these words and their definitions:
    • ravine
    • caravan
  • Can you name four uses of wedges? p.59 Write them down.
  • Do one of the activities on pages 63-67.

Watch this video for more information:

  • Discuss what you learned.

3. Get to know your galaxy.

  • Discuss what you learned.

Extra:


Life Skills

Week 7: Chapters 19, 20 & 21

1. Just like the settlers the Indians also had routines for their lives.

  • Name some of the things they may have had routines for.
  • Some routines are flexible while others need to be completed in a step by step order.
  • Watch this video on how they tanned the hides:
  • Discuss what you learned.
  • Name three things they may have used the hides for.
  • Write out a Sequencing Worksheet for the tanning routine.
  • What would happen if someone did the steps out of order or forgot a step?

2. Ways to help around the house like Laura

Dusting is a necessary chore as dust can build up quickly around the house. I always loved it when my Mom-mom let me help dust. I was always so very careful with all of the knick knacks she had because I didn’t want to break anything.

Below we will also learn about wiping up smudges which can be done at the same time as dusting.

How to dust:

  • Gather your supplies:
    • Duster, mitt, cloth, or other tool
    • Dusting spray
  • Spray the dusting tool with spray.
    • Be careful not to spray yourself or someone else
  • Dust each item carefully but thoroughly.
  • Items you can dust:
    • coffee table
    • end tables
    • lamps
    • booshelf
    • TV
    • Window sills
    • pictures
    • other items as directed by your parents.
  • Check the room to see if you missed anything.
  • Put away your supplies.

Smudges happen a lot in our home. It seems like no sooner do we clean them up then I see even more here and there. We go through the house about once a week, after we dust, and wipe down the furniture, light switches, and door knobs. This helps to keep everything looking nice and clean.

How to wipe smudges

  • Gather the items needed:
  • Spray a small amount of cleaner on your rag.
  • Gently but thoroughly clean items with smudges:
    • telephones
    • TVs
    • remotes
    • light switches
    • knick knacks
    • doorknobs
    • handles
    • mirrors
    • other shiny surfaces
  • Check to see if you missed any spots.
  • Move from one item to the next.
  • Put away the supplies when you are finished.

3. Character

We will be focusing on OBEDIENCE this unit. If you don’t have the book we used you can go HERE and download a lesson plan guide to use in your home.

MemorizeChildren, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. – Colossians 3:20

We will be studying obedience during this unit. What is obedience?

  • Review what we have learned.
  • Have there been times over the past week when it was hard to obey but Jesus helped you?
  • Have you been remembering to pray?

Watch this video about someone who disobeyed God:

  • What did Samuel tell Saul that God wanted him to do?
  • Did Saul obey?
  • Did his disobedience make God happy?
  • Did Saul repent?
  • What happened to Saul because he disobeyed?
  • God wants us to obey Him. He also wants children to obey their parents.
  • Pray for God’s help to obey.

4.Manners

Continue to practice your good manners everywhere you go.

Print out a list of Important Manners HERE. Post it somewhere you can see everyday.

 

5. Memory Verse

We will be memorizing Psalm 8 during this unit study. Print it HERE.

  • Work on memorizing a verse during the week for a special prize.
    • Verse 7: All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field;
  • Older kids can copy the memory verse down in their notebook.

6. Fun Activities

  • Help plan a holiday meal and make a grocery list to go with it.
  • Show someone how you are good neighbor by doing something nice for them.
  • We read the word ‘bootjack’ in this section. Do you know what a bootjack is?

7. Bonus Skills — Choose one or two to work on

Practice these until you finish this unit study and then we will move on to another new skill.

Kids Cook Real Food 

  • Work on: Bonus Lesson: Potato Salad

  • Help to prepare a meal using your new skills.

Skill Trek:

  • Work on at least one task a week.
  • Practice your new skill this week.

Memorize the books of the Bible:

  • Try it now without the teaching:

Learn about camping.

  • Learn how to build a campfire and give it a try, with your parent’s permission.
  • You will need to gather your own tinder.
  • Build and light your fire with supervision. NEVER light a fire without an adult present!
  • Extra Points for building two or more different types of fires.

Here’s a video to get you started:

Learn about Herbs.

Mullein: The Ear and Lung Herb

  • Discuss what you learned.
  • Be sure to jot down some notes.
  • Research some herbs that the Indians may have used in their cooking.

PE, Health & Safety

Week 7: Chapters 19, 20 & 21

1. Wild Animal Safety

When they heard the scream at night Pa thought it may have been a neighbor needing help. He soon realized it was a panther and came back home quickly.

  • Wild animals can be dangerous. Do you know what to do to stay safe if you encounter a wild animal?
  • Discuss what you have learned.
  • What kinds of wild animals could you encounter where you live?
  • How will you keep yourself safe?

2. Games/Outdoor Play

Laura and Mary played games with each other and Baby Carrie. Try any of the games listed below or choose your favorite game to play. These would be really good games for when you are stuck inside the house.

You can find more games and activities in this book:

Pioneer days: Discover the past with fun projects, games, activities, and recipes (American kids in history)


Music, Arts & Crafts

You can find more Native American crafts and activities HERE , HERE, HERE and a FREE printable coloring book HERE.

Week 7: Chapters 19, 20 & 21

Crafts:

1. Make musical instruments:

 

2. Christmas

Art:

  1. Santa Claus coloring page
  2. Christmas coloring page

Music:

Some more Plains Indian Music:

 

 


**BE SURE TO SAVE A FEW SAMPLES OF YOUR WORK FOR YOUR  PORTFOLIO!  TAKE PICTURES OF BIG PROJECTS!

Little House On The Prairie Adventure Week 6 Lesson Plans

**Although I try to provide as many FREE resources as possible this post may contain affiliate links alt no extra cost to you. We may earn a small commission, if a purchase is made through these links, which helps to support our blog and our family. Thank you!

Mornings:

We Start every morning off with our prayers and the Pledge of Allegiance. Below is a picture of the prayers that we say and a video of the Pledge of Allegiance.

a4f356a8-2a6f-4280-abd7-33bce0719b96-4019-000000c2c1f8254c_file

Not the prettiest example but that’s what we’ve been using for the past few years.

Don’t have a flag? Grab one HEREand print it out to put up somewhere… you could even let the kids make a flag to proudly display. Amazon also has some little ones like this one HERE and HERE.

After this we have our calendar time also where we go over such things as the Days of the Week, the months, and some basic math.

d3cbca65-c096-4094-b421-827b79058cc5-4019-000000c2ec08e8e6_file

This one came from Lakeshore Learning.

We also like to use this song during our ‘Morning Time’ to help the kids learn the 50 States. 


Tip: If you want to go to a certain week/chapter or topic simply push the ‘ctrl’ and the ‘F’ button down together and a small bar will pop up. Type in the week number or chapter number you want and it will take you to it.


Week 6: Chapters 16, 17& 18 (Fire in the Chimney, Pa Goes To Town, The Tall Indian)

Here is our lesson plan for the week:


Language Arts

Reading:

Read Chapters 16, 17 & 18

Discussion Questions:

Chapter Sixteen:

  • What preparations were they making for the winter?
  • What bad thing happened? What did Ma do?
  • Why did Ma say that Laura was brave?
  • What did Pa bring home? What did he say they could make from the feathers?
  • Why did they need to go to town?

Chapter Seventeen:

  • Where did Pa go?
  • Why did Mr. Edwards come to the house? What did Jack do?
  • Who came to visit Ma the next day? What did she say about their house?
  • What did Ma make for Pa to warm him up?
  • What special thing did Pa bring back from town that made Ma so happy?

Chapter Eighteen:

  • What did they see more and more of?
  • What ran in front of the house?
  • What did the Indian try to take from the house?
  • What did Pa say the government made the Indians do?

Additional Reading:

Each child would complete a reading lesson from our McGuffey Primer Books or other reading materials that we chose for the day.

Younger kids will also be doing one lesson a day from Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons.

Vocabulary/Spelling:

Older Kids:

Parents click HERE for the answer key.**see instructions at the top of the page.

Younger Kids:

Handwriting:

Using  Spencerian Penmanship go over the instructions on p. 10

Writing:**

  • Start planning a holiday menu. Include beverages, sides, main dishes, breads, and desserts. Click HERE for worksheets.
  • Design a nice invitation for the meal and send them to people, with your parent’s permission. Click HERE for worksheets.
  • Continue working in your workbook.

Other Activity:

Group:

Older kids:

Younger kids:


Math

Week 6: Chapters 16, 17 & 18

You can work on a lesson in your Ray’s Arithmetic Books or other math workbook. (The lessons below reflect what we worked on.)

Group:

Rotate through these activities:

Older Kids:

 

Younger Kids:


Geography and History

Week 6: Chapters 16, 17 & 18

1. State Study

  • This week we will study Oregon.
  • Complete your notebooking pages.
  • Older kids can write a report about the state.

2. Continue to Research Native American Indian Tribes

  • Learn about tools that the Indians used.
  • Learn about Buffalo hunts and how the Indians used the buffalo.

 

  • Discuss what you have learned.
  • Click HERE to learn about more crafts and tools.
  • Check out this link HERE for a picture showing how each part of the buffalo was used.
  • Complete this Lapbook part HERE.

3. Learn about the Minnesota Massacre

  • Discuss what you learned.

Extra:


Science

Week 6: Chapters 16, 17 & 18

1. Watch this fun video:

  • Discuss what you learned.

2.Why do leaves change color?

  • Watch a video and older kids can do some independent research.
  • Discuss what you learned.

3.Why do birds migrate?

  • Watch a video and older kids can do some independent research.
  • Discuss what you learned.

4. Continue learning about simple machines.

  • We will be using Explore Simple Machines!: With 25 Great Projects for this study.What are inclined planes?
    • Read pages 26-29 of your book.
    • Write down these words and their definitions:
      • lock
      • skeleton
      • switchback
      • ascent
      • descent
    • What are some different ways that inclined planes are used?
    • Do one of the activities on pages 30-33.

    Watch this video for more information:

5. Meet the five dwarfs.

  • Discuss what you learned.

Life Skills

Week 6: Chapters 16, 17 & 18

1. Following Pa’s Example

In this section the family is talking about Thanksgiving and Christmas. Pa went out hunting and found some turkeys. He knew where they would be when the holidays came up so he was thinking ahead and preparing for the holidays in advance.

These events could also benefit from a yearly routine. In our home we keep a Holiday & Party Binder. This helps us prepare for holiday events and party events that we may have coming up.

Every time we host a party we jot down notes and follow the routine we have written down. There are notes telling us how far in advance we need to order things to make sure we get the items we need. This helps to keep everything going smoothly and easily. It also helps us to enjoy the party when the day comes and to spend time with our family and friends while making great memories.

Does your family have a routine for handling holidays?

  • Make a list of things that you normally do for Thanksgiving or Christmas.
  • Jot down some things that you would like to do but never have time for.
  • Work with a parent to decide when and what you need to work on to get prepared for the big day.
  • Think about things that may need done around the house before the holiday as well like:
    • cleaning
    • decorating
    • yard work

Flylady has a Cruising Through The Holidays section that can help if you need ideas.

2. Ways to help around the house like Laura

Sometimes you may not have a mop or the floor may just need a good cleaning that can only be done by hand scrubbing. This would be using what we might hear as ‘elbow grease’.

How to hand scrub a floor:

  • Sweep the floor well before hand scrubbing.
  • Move anything that can be moved to make the job easier.
  • Gather your supplies:
    • bucket
    • hot water
    • cleaner
    • scrub sponge or scrub brush
    • gloves, optional
    • old towels
  • Measure the cleaner into the bucket.
  • Add hot water until half full.
  • Start in one corner and begin scrubbing in a circular motion, working your way around the room going towards the door.
  • Rinse out your scrubber as needed.
  • You may want to use an old towel to wipe up extra water.
  • Check the floor for any missed spots.
  • Empty the bucket.
  • Rinse the bucket and scrubbers.
  • Put away your supplies.
  • When the floor is dry you can put back any items you moved before you started.

3. Character

We will be focusing on OBEDIENCE this unit. If you don’t have the book we used you can go HERE and download a lesson plan guide to use in your home.

MemorizeChildren, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. – Colossians 3:20

We will be studying obedience during this unit. What is obedience?

Watch this video to learn about Philippians 2:5-11.

  • What do you think this scripture means?
  • If Jesus humbled himself we should too. verse 7
  • Verse 8 says he humbled himself and became obedient. It is humbling to be obedient but Jesus wants us to be humble.
  • Do you know what the opposite of humble is? Pride
  • How was Jesus rewarded for his obedience? He was exalted and honored.
  • Ask God to help you be obedient and humble like Jesus was.

4. Manners

-Finish reading Emily’s Everyday Manners and discuss the manners shown in the pictures.

  • There are different manners for different places.
  • What you say can make others feel good.
  • Always be:
    • Respectful
    • Considerate
    • Honest
    • Courteous

5. Memory Verse

We will be memorizing Psalm 8 during this unit study. Print it HERE.

  • Work on memorizing a verse during the week for a special prize.
    • Verse 6: Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:
  • Older kids can copy the memory verse down in their notebook.

6. Fun Activities

7. Bonus Skills — Choose one or two to work on

Practice these until you finish this unit study and then we will move on to another new skill.

Kids Cook Real Food 

  • Work on: Class 8 – Rolls, Browning Beef, Cheese Sauce/Steaming (Beginner)

  • Help to prepare a meal using your new skills.

Skill Trek:

  • Work on at least one task a week.
  • Practice your new skill this week.

Memorize the books of the Bible:

  • Try it now without the teaching:

Learn about camping.

  • There are different types of fires. Learn a little about each of these and write what you learned in your notebook.
    • Log Cabin Fire
    • Teepee Fire
    • Upside Down Fire
    • Lean To Fire
    • Star Fire
  • Here is another type of fire:

Learn about Herbs.

Fennel: The Food-Herb that heals

Here’s a video about Fennel Seeds:

  • Discuss what you learned.
  • Be sure to jot down some notes.
  • Research some herbs that you might use when cooking a holiday meal.

PE, Health & Safety

Week 6: Chapters 16, 17 & 18

1. Fire Safety

  • Ma and Laura acted quickly when there was a fire. Would you know what to do if there was a fire in your home?
  • Watch this fire safety video:
  • Discuss what you learned.
  • Come up with a fire safety plan and practice it.

2. Burn Treatment

  • After the fire was out Ma checked Laura for burns but she wasn’t hurt. This was a good thing.
  • We have learned about fire safety but sometimes we might find that we have accidentally gotten burned. Let’s learn about how to treat a burn:
  • Discuss what you have learned.

3. Games/Outdoor Play

Pa told them about the geese and turkeys he saw while out hunting and brought back some ducks for dinner. Have you ever watched the birds flying south for winter? If not, maybe you can keep an eye out for them in the Fall.


Music, Arts & Crafts

You can find more Native American crafts and activities HERE , HERE, HERE and a FREE printable coloring book HERE.

Week 6: Chapters 16, 17 & 18

Crafts:

  1. Turkey Crafts for Kids – Wonderful Art and Craft Ideas for Fall and Thanksgiving
  2. 15 TERRIFIC TURKEY CRAFTS FOR KIDS
  3. Turkey Leaf Lanterns Mason Jar Thanksgiving Craft

 

DIY Paper Turkey Headdress Turkey Hat Crafts

Art:

  1. Make a Turkey from things found in nature: Nature Made Wild Turkey
  2. Turkey Coloring Page

Music:

 


Novum Crafts Feather Headdress

 


**BE SURE TO SAVE A FEW SAMPLES OF YOUR WORK FOR YOUR  PORTFOLIO!  TAKE PICTURES OF BIG PROJECTS!